The Long Goodbye
Title: The Long Goodbye
Rating: K
Fandom/Pairing: Stargate SG-1; Carter/O’Neill
Word Count: 797
Author’s Note: Spoilers for The Fourth Horseman Parts 1 & 2 (Season 9)
Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1 and all the characters herein belong to MGM, Brad Wright, and Jonathan Glassner. No copyright infringement intended and no profits are being made from this story.
“So, I hear Orlin was back.”
“Yes.”
“And…?”
“And he saved the planet.”
“Ah.” Jack watches Sam move about the kitchen in a daze. He hasn’t seen the final reports on how the virus had been contained but he’s pretty sure Sam’s former romantic interest played a pretty big role. “So, should I be jealous?”
Sam doesn’t respond immediately. Just keeps shuffling about the kitchen, making coffee he’s fairly certain she doesn’t want or need after days spent trying to save the planet. When she finally does speak, she’s staring out the kitchen window into the garden neither of them are ever around enough to maintain.
“To be honest, Jack it was really hard seeing him again.”
“Because you still have feelings for him?”
“No. Well yes. But no.”
“Um, Samantha? Could you be a little clearer here?”
“Its just that he wasn’t how I remembered him.”
“Ah ascension does change a fella. Well except Daniel. He’s still a nerd. But a better looking one. Have you noticed that? Do you think I could ascend and come back with a stronger jawline?” Jack’s first line of defense is always a joke. Anything to lighten the mood.
“Jack.” Sam’s not laughing as her eyes cut over to him. It’s a harsh look but at least she’s not still staring blindly at nothing.
“Right Orlin. Soooo how was he different?”
“He was 12.”
“…” In his silence, she watches him. And then Jack can see her turn back into herself. Into that complicated brain of hers that he doesn’t think he’s ever going to truly get to the bottom of.
“He needed to come back as a child in order to have a higher performing brain to store all the ancient knowledge he needed to help us.”
“Makes complete sense.” Jack quips.
“It’s just, you know it was fine. I mean I’ve put what happened between us behind me. Quite a while ago really.”
“And I thank you for that.”
“But then he said he still had feelings for me. You know, the same as before. When he was an adult. And we were…well…intimate.”
“I really don’t need to here about this…”
“And I just didn’t know what to say to that. I mean, how was I supposed to respond to a 12 year old basically saying he loves me?”
“Except he isn’t twelve. He’s,” Jack’s chuckling now, “ancient.”
“Jack.” It’s an offhand exclamation; Her eyes still boring into the weeds sprouting around the bricks of the patio. Trying to get her back into the room, Jack proceeds with humor.
“You know, I was my younger self once too. Did you still have feelings for me when I was a kid?” That does the trick. Sam’s eyes snap back into focus but Jack doesn’t really like the glare she levels in his direction.
“Seriously, Jack?”
“Seriously,” he says with a wide grin, charm always does the trick.
“I am so not answering that question.”
“No? Come on, I was a cute kid!” he laughs. “Alright, no cradle-robbing jokes. Got it. Soooo. How is your ancient ex-boyfriend?”
“Spending the rest of his human days in a care facility suffering from Alzheimer’s.” Her tone is flat and unemotional. Her gaze never wavers but Jack can see the sheen of tears forming in the corner of her eyes.
“Ah…well…” Jack is trying to get better with this emotion stuff. He takes a step closer and reaches for Sam, “Com’ere.” Wrapping his arms around her, he tucks her face in the crook of his neck and breathes into the short blonde locks tickling his nose. “I’m sorry.”
“I just wish I could have done something to help him, you know. He sacrificed himself to save us,” Sam whispers into Jack’s skin, wrapping her arms around his back.
“And he did so knowing what might happen.”
“I know.”
“And I bet he did it for you more than any one else on this planet.” Jack feels Sam push back and sees the surprise in her eyes.
“What? Why would you think that?”
“Come on, Carter. I know what loving you feels like.” He pulls Sam close again and kisses her forehead. “Makes a man do crazy things.”
Sam smiles against Jack’s cheek. She turns around in his arms so her back is pressed up against his chest, loving the feel of his arms automatically tugging her close. His chin tucks into her shoulder and she reaches one arm back to clutch his head with her fingers entwined in his hair. They both are silent as they gaze out the window into the fading sunlight.
The room has gone dark when Sam finally breaks the silence, “I think I’m gonna go see him. You know, keep him company.”
“Yea?”
“Yea.”
“I think he’d like that.”